Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1887-04-28
KIRKLAND MORMONS.
How They Are Reviving the Faith oil
Prophet Joe smith.

KIRKLAND, O., April Is.
Twenty-tbree miles east of the city OF
Cleveland and about seven miles south from
the shore of Lake Erie was driven, in the
wear 1881, the first stake of Zion. Fifty-six
years ago it was not 50 evident as it now Is
where the large cities and towns Of the lake
region would be. 1t then seemed an assured
fact that Kirkland would be larger than
either Cleveland or Buffalo.
In the latter part of the winter and early
spring of 1881 there was the most wonderful
ingathering of people on Kirkland Flats that
had ever been seen in this part Of the world.
It was impossible to build houses fast enough
to accommodate those who came. Rude
shanties were extemporized. Many people
continued to reside, like gypsies, in the
Conestoga wagons and OK carts in which they
came. The sound Of the hammer was heard
incessantly. Houses and shops grew as II by
magic. It was busy mart To supply the
wants Of this multitude was no small task
There were men, women and children OF
many grades, tut the rude, squalid and poor
seemed to be the prevailing type Hon. A.
G. Riddle, of Washington, then young man
residing in the vicinity, who visited the Flats
at this time, says that one could see in their
| faces evidences Of the wild fanaticism that
had brought this assemblage Of odds and ends
together.
| This was season of religious agitation in
| all portions of the country. Alexander Camp
bell and his father, Thomas Campbell, Scotch
| Presbyterians, had recently begun to preach
some new doctrines in regard to the proper
| Interpretation of the Scriptures. They had
| made decided sensation in various quarters
and had organized many churches. Those
| who accepted the preaching OF the Campbells
were called "Calnpbellites," and some people
were disposed to prosecute the new denomina-
ton. This only added strength and coher-
ence to the new sect. and it grew rapidly.
Among the ambitious preachers who had
come from the Baptists and accepted the
views of the Campbells was q fluent and
somewhat brilliant young man named Sidney
Riglon. He often complained to his friends
that the Campbells were obtaining more
credit than they deserved. 1t was not long
after that Rigdon and Joseph Smith, Jr,
were preaching Mormonisn. Rigdon was
the principal orator Of the new dispensation.
But again he was disappointed, for Smith was
the prophet and founder.
The prophet and Rigdon soon decided that
it would be convenient to have bank. They
had no capital to speak Of, except faith, but
the bank was organized. 1t was called "The
Kirkland Saving society" Smith was made
cashier and Rigdon president, and the faith
full were advised to deposit their funds with
the concern An unlimited amount of paper
was issued, and for time money was plenty
in the community.
Under direction from the Lord. Smith SET
about the construction of a temple. 1t was
made two stories high, with dormer windows
in the roof, which utilized the garnet as q
third story. The walls were made Of stone
and covered on the outside with a cement
that has stood the ravases of ffty-five years
and is still as perfect as the day it was put on
This cement was made by an Englishmar
lone Of the faithfuD, who alone knew the
secret of its composition. 1t has often beer
examined by expert builders, who would be
willing to pay a large sum for the recipe from
which it was made, but all in vain. Its ingre
dents and their proportions are as much q
mystery as the manner in which the pyra
m4As Of Egypt were constructed. Tho FAC
that the temple stood intact for more thar
half century is cited by believers as certain
proof that the Lord was its architect.
Smith and Rigdon added to their bank AM
temple mill and a store. The prophet by
this time also had comfortable house of hi
own, well furnished considering the times
Things thus went on very well for time
but finally the natural results Of "wild cat
banking began to be .elt. There was no re
} deeming basis for the bank circulation, an
depositors who had put III "hard money" dit
not feel contented to take out irredeemabl
paper. One thing followed another, and tn
crash at length came all at once. Smith dis
. posed Of his earthly effects as hastily as pos
sible, and, in company with Rigdon, fed il
January, 1888, to Independence, Mo- The,
did not get away, however, until they ha
been arrested on charges of swindling Tn
!, suit was instituted by citizens who were in
censed over the losses they had sustained
They were joined by disaffected and apostat
Mormons. The prisoners escaped from th
sheriff.
Before leaving Kirkland the saints en-
countered many schisms and dissension
, among themselves These troublous element
were transpanted to Missouri and Illinois
Only one family, that of Mr.. and Mrs. Strattor
remained in Kirkland. They still believed in tn
I prophet, but not to the extent of fleeing wit
him to Missouri They held the key Of the tempt
$ and claimed to have the title to it,
I After the trouble Mt Nauvoo, Ills, and the deaf
| OF the prophet, the leaders split up and ser
| arated. There was much dissatisfaction wit
the sudden prominence and leadership of Bris
ham Young That worthy, however, took tn
i larger part of the people wit h him and made tn
: wonderful hegira to Salt Lake. For more tina
: thirty years the world heard very little of an
c Mormons except those Of Utah. Brigham Youn
4 had shown himself to be of great strength as
o leader. He kept down schism by the force Of HI
cast iron will. But the scattered leaders kept til
" fires of faith alive on their hearthstones. Wit
!" the lapse Of time the halo around the life an
o work Of the prophet who had been murdere
d grew, and ut length there was Agathe
l. ing and an organization of the fra.
e ments into body called the "Reorganize
, Church Of Latter Day Saints" This new body
, aggressive, dogmatical, earnest. Its missionarie
" go forth into all regions and preach the gospel
the lowly. They returned four years ago and Iai
e claim to the old deserted temple here Mr.
5. Electa Stratton still held the key. A few dola
II expended in renOvating made the old buildiu
h apresentable structure, good or better tina
: the ordinary country church. The "Reorganized
10 branch laid claim to the property and have Of
" tanned at length a clear title to it, Kirtlan
which for fifty years has been stranded ava
u from the beaten routes Of travel is again hayir
s. boom" 1t is the Mecca of a church. 1t Is Il
center OF conference. and here resides one Of Il
b, principal bishops
,e The conference which has just closed its Sc
sions here is the largest held by the demon
- nation. Its deliberations were participated in
= all the prominent men of the church. and me-
III its close Joseph Smith H. the son and heir